Means for the expansion of circular tables



Dec. 27, 1949 A. H. ELlASON MEANS FOR THE EXPANSION OF CIRCULAR TABLES Filed July 12, 1946 FIG. 3.

INVENTOR. H. ELIASON,

ATTORNE Y8.

Patented Dec. 27, 1949 VUNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR THE EXPANSION OF CIRCULAR TABLES Adlai H. Eliason, Mooresville, N. 0. Application July 12, 1946, Serial No. 683,269

2 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanical means for the progressive expansion of a circular area, and more particularly to mechanical means having a wide range of applicability to articles incorporating circular areas adapted for progressive expansion while substantially retaining the circular character thereof.

The invention has for its chief object the provision of a mechanical structure having a surface area of circular configuration and of means cooperable therewith for accomplishing an increase of the surface area thereof without substantially changing the circular configuration thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanical structure of the kind referred to having a surface area of circular configuration, divided into separable parts, and embodying supporting structure therefor, whereby said parts and supporting structure are capable of extension to cooperate with removable sections to form a substantially circular surface of increased area.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident from the following description of the same, constituting a specification thereof, when considered in connection with the annexed drawings.

7 The invention comprises, briefly stated, a mechanical structure, such, for example, as an extension table, having a top surface of circular configuration, divided into a rectangular center portion and segmental side portions with outwardly curved sides, and extensible supporting structure for said side portions whereby the same can be extended for cooperation with specially shaped removable leaf parts for increasing the area of the top surface while substantially retaining the circular configuration thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of the invention, partly broken away to reveal the details of supporting structure of the extensible side portions, and the manner in which the removable leaf portions cooperate therewith.

Figure 2 is a side view, partly in section, taken along the line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is' a perspective view of one of the removable leaves.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, I indicates a rectangular member forming the center section of the top of a mechanical structure, such as an extension table or other structure having an extensible surface. 2, 3, 4 and 5 represent identical segmental side sections forming with the center section I a top area of circular ported thereby. Vertical 2 configuration. Each of the segmental sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 has a straight side 6 adapted to fit against one of the sides of the center section I, and a curved side 8 of such shape that together the sections I, 2, 3, 4 and 5 form a perfect circular area.

The supporting structure for the sections just described may comprise an apron III of circular shape lying beneath the sections, the cross stretcher II of suitable shape fitting within the apron III in spaced relation beneath the sections, and braces I2 and I4 two of which are provided for each of the extensible sections 2, 3, 4, and 5.

The braces l2 and I4 are pivotally secured at their outer ends to the under sides of the segmental sections by vertical pivot means I6, such as wood screws. The braces I2 and I4 extend through notches I8 and I9 and are slidably inserted between the section I and the cross stretcher II. Notches l8 and I9 are of such a depth that the bottom surfaces of the braces I2 and I4 bearupon the upper surface of stretcher II and the bottoms of the notches and are suppins 20 project above and below the inner ends of the braces I2 and I4 for cooperative engagement in curved grooves 22 and 23 provided in opposed surfaces of the section I and cross stretcher II for a purpose later to be made apparent. The pins 20 may carry rollers or other anti-friction means, not shown, for facilitating movement in the grooves 22 and 23.

It will be seen from an inspection of Figure 1, that the segmental sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 may be extended by pulling the same out away from the center section I, thereby extending the braces l2 and I4. As the sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 are moved toward or away from the respective sides of the center section I, the inner ends of the braces I2 and I4 are guided away from or toward each other by the action of the pins 20 in grooves 22 and 23. This arrangement of the inner ends of the braces I2 and I4 prevents any interference of the same with the ends of other braces when the sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 are in theirinnermost positions. The notches I8 and I9 are of a width to permit the movement of the braces I2 and I4 as just described.

Figure 3 illustrates a removable leaf 25 adapted for cooperation with the above described expansible structure for increasing the area of the same. The leaf 25 may be of any desired width which will fit between the side 6 of one of the segmental sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the respective side of the center section I, when the segmental sections are extended. Such leaves may be provided in different widths in order to secure a greater or lesser increase in the available surface area. Each leaf 25 is preferably formed with tapered end portions 26 and 21 each formed by sides 28 and 29. The sides 30 and 3| of the leaf 25 are of the same length as the sides 6 of segmental sections 2-, 3, 4 and 5 and the corresponding sides of the center section I.

As best seen in broken lines at the left of Fig ure 1, when the leaf 25 is inserted in position between one of the segmental sections. 2', 3, land 5.

and the respective side of the center sect-ion l, the portions 29 of the ends 26 and2l form parts of the circumference of a substantially circular surface of greater area than thatformed by the sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 and the center section I. The portions 28 of the leaf 25 abut identical portions on the ends of adjacent leaves, thus comfileting the circularconfiguration of the increased area-l Legs 32 may be provided attached at suitable points on the circumference of the apron H! in case the structure takes the form of an extension table.

The operationof the mechanism will be apparent from the above; description of the-sama- To increase the circular area, the segmental sections 2, 3, 4-'and 5 are pulled out, and leaves 25 inserted between the sides 6 and the opposed sides of the center section I. The leaves 25 will then be supported upon" the upper surfaces of the braces l2 and i4 and the upper edge of the skirt [.0 and will form-with those sections a continuous substantially circular surface of increasedarea; The braces lit and M in their extended: positions are: parallel to. each other, as seen in Figure 1, and in retracted position beneath the central portion; i, the braces are insubstantially radial rela tion to'tlie circular area.

It: will thus be seen that the invention as described above. provides a simple and r'uggedly constructed device, characterized by a surface of circular configuration which is capable of being progressively extended in anydesired degree while substantially. retaining its circular character.

It will of course be understood that the above described em'bodifhentof the invention is intended for purposes of exam-pie only, that the principles of the sanie are capable of incorporation in a Wide variety of structures useful in many differentways, and: that numerous changes maybe effected inthe' structure and arrangement of the parts: of'tli'e' same, without departing from the spirit of the-invention or'tl'lescope of the appended claims.-

Having thus clearly shown and described the invention, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:-

I. In an expansible circular table top including anequilateral polygonal center section bounded by like marginal sections each comprising a segment of a circle, the improvement comprising a pair of spaced braces mounting said marginal sections for sliding movement radially outwardly of said center section, a leaf insertable between each marginal section and said center section, said leaves being supported on said braces in flush relation to said center and marginal sections, each leaf comprising parallel sides of like length and substantially identical pointed ends, each of said braces including outer and inner ends, means providing pivots connecting said outer ends to said marginal sections for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, said center section being formed with. a pair of radially inwardly converging slideways for each pair of braces, and said inner ends of: each pair of braces including means slidably guidedin a pair of slideways.

2. In afi expansible circular table top including an equilateral polygonal center section bounded by like marginal sections each comprising a. segmentof a circle, the improvement comprising a pair ofv spaced braces mounting said marginal,

sections for sliding movement radially outwardly of said center section, a leaf insertable between each marginal sectionv and said center section, said leaves being supported on said bracesiii flush relation to said center and marginal sec,- tions, each leaf comprising parallel sidesof like length and, substantially identical pointed ends,

a stretcher co=eXtensive with said center section, means mounting said. stretcher'in downwardly spaced relation to said' center section, each of said braces including inner and outer ends, means providing pivots connecting said outer ends to said marginal sections for pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, said center section and, stretcher each being formed with a like pair,- or? radially; inwardly converging grooves for each; pair of braces, andthe inner end of each brace, downwardly directed,

including upwardly and means slidably guided, in grooves of said center section and stretcher. V

ADLAI H, EIJASON.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent: 

